Mrs. Julie Graves, Principal
South Prairie Elementary
2009-2010

We are “Charting a New Course” for 2009-10, as our school will look different this year!  I am so excited to begin my fifth year of serving the Sycamore School Dist. #427 as the principal at South Prairie Elementary School.  With a significant decrease in enrollment due to the redistricting initiative, you may notice a more cozy, appealing, and engaging feel to South Prairie this year!  Sycamore has such a wonderful blend of small town charm and big city opportunities!  South Prairie will offer just that too – charm and opportunity!   

I earned my B.A. from Monmouth College in Monmouth, and my MSEd. in Administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois.  Even after 15 years of teaching experience in Jr. Primary, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and a 7th/8th combined classroom, I still have a passion for teaching.  Prior to moving to Sycamore, I served as the principal of Cuba Elementary School in Cuba, Illinois for 5 years in a PreK- Gr. 6 building.    

My husband, Steve and I have been married for 31 years and have one son and one daughter.  Our son, his wife, and their 4 year old and 2 ½ year old daughters live a couple hours away.  But, they’re still close for frequent visits which we love!   Our daughter teaches Spanish and coaches Volleyball in Genoa, so she’s close by too and still enjoys lots of family time with all of us!   We have a new black lab puppy, Oakley, which kept us very busy this summer!   Our family enjoys leisure boating, hunting, traveling, spending time together, and living as a “football” family!!

One of my hobbies is reading motivational, attitude-enhancing, and organizational change books, and trying to affect positive change!   I am still excited about my job working with kids and teachers and I look forward to a new year as we “Chart a New Course”!